Archive for 4750

News: 9/21 (03:20pm) Andre Ellington (foot) is active for Week 3 against the 49ers; Vernon Davis (ankle, knee) is inactive for Week 3 against AZ. Carson Palmer is also inactive.Take:Andre Ellington should see a grip of work in this one, and despite his foot, he remains one of our bigger breakouts this year. He has been doing outstanding fantasy-wise considering the foot and his loss of Carson Palmer. Derek Carrier will get extra run at TE this week for the 49ers.
News: 9/21 (03:17pm) Jamaal Charles is inactive for Week 3 against MIA.Take: This was fully expected, but we wanted to give you official word. Knile Davis has fantasy RB1-upside this week.
News: 9/21 (03:17pm) Danny Woodhead was carted off the field with a severe ankle injury.Take: Horrible news, as he was truly setup to shine in PPR formats while Ryan Mathews was out. We will keep you updated on his injury and how long he might be out.
News: 9/21 (12:55pm) According to rotoworld, the Texans have announced that Alfred Blue will be their starting runner against the Giants today (Week 3).Take: As I/we said this morning, I really like this kid and he is a sneaky, but risky, Week 3 play. I am playing him in one league despite the risk. His upside is big. Alfred Blue and Jeremy Hill are the sneaky RB starts of the week.
News: 9/21 (12:41pm) DeSean Jackson is on the field and warming up to play.Take:Jackson looks like a go in this one. Of course, anything can happen during warm-ups, but you're signed up for Smart Alerts, so you're covered! We will send an alert back out should something change. Kirk Cousins is a sneaky start this week if you need a QB. Pierre Garcon owners were probably hoping Jackson wouldn't go, but I don't think DJax is fully healthy, so Garcon could see more targets than usual. Start Niles Paul if you got him, as Jordan Reed is out!
News: 9/21 (12:39pm) FOX’s Jay Glazer has confirmed that Jamaal Charles (ankle) is not expected to play in Sunday’s Week 3 contest against MIA.Take:Knile Davis has low-end RB1 appeal in this one. Be sure to check back just in case anything changes with Charles’ status, but Week 3 should be all Knile Davis.
News: 9/21 (12:33pm) Shaun Hill (thigh) is active for Week 3 against DAL.Take:Austin Davis was expected to start, but it appears Hill is working out with the starters. Neither QB should be starting in fantasy leagues unless the league is a large 2QB league.
News: 9/21 (12:13pm) Bengals OC Hue Jackson “doesn’t have a number” in mind in terms of how many carries he’ll split up between Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard.Take: You guys all know by now how much I love Giovani Bernard, as I believe he is a top 5-10 fantasy rusher this year. Even with that stance, I love Jeremy Hill, and that offense has room for both runners. Today might be the game Jeremy Hill explodes, and again, I can’t stress enough I still believe fully in Gio. Hill is going to be used early and often between the tackles, and he will have 8-10TD potential this season. He is averaging 4.9 yards-per-carry and is coming off a 15-carry game in Week 2. Don’t bench a stud or big name for the guy, but Hill is a fantastic flex-start this week (and moving forward).
News: 9/21 (12:13pm) According to rotoworld, Danny Woodhead is listed as the starting running back for the Chargers this week.Take: We’ve been saying it all week, Danny Woodhead is the best RB in SD right now, especially in PPR. Donald Brown is expected to get early-down work, but Woodhead has more appeal fantasy-wise.
News: 9/21 (12:05pm) Keenan Allen (groin) is active for the Chargers’ Week 3 contest against BUF; Ryan Mathews is inactive.Take: This is the best buy-low WR in fantasy right now. Why? Yeah, yeah, he hasn’t done much in Weeks 1 and 2, right? Well, he faced AZ in Week 1 and Richard Sherman and SEA in Week 2. Well, let me tell you, if you watched Allen against Sherman, you’d be quite impressed. Allen has amazing footwork, speed and route running ability. He is a fantasy WR1 talent-wise – We hope the Keenan Allen show starts in Week 3!
News: 9/21 (12:01pm) Dez Bryant (shoulder) is active for Week 3 against STL.Take: This was expected, but it’s great to get confirmation that Dez is ready to explode in Week 3.
News: 9/21 (12:01pm) Tavon Austin (knee) is inactive for Week 3 against DAL.Take: He isn’t a viable starter right now anyway.
News: 9/21 (12:01pm) Aaron Dobson is inactive for Week 3 against OAK.Take: He isn’t a viable starter right now in fantasy anyway.
News: 9/21 (11:56am) Bernard Pierce (thigh) is inactive for Sunday’s Week 3 contest at CLE.Take:Justin Forsett and and the rookie we have been talking up for weeks, Lorenzo Taliaferro, would likely split carries in this one with Pierce officially out. Taliaferro is a must-add in dynasty, and he remains a sneaky pick-up in larger redraft leagues — just know anything can happen carry-wise in this game, so be careful plugging either into your line up. Lorenzo Taliaferro has big upside if he plays a ton, though, but his workload is far from guaranteed — this week at least.
News: 9/21 (11:55am) A.J. Green (toe) is active for Week 3.Take: This was expected, but it’s great to get further confirmation. Green is a top 1-4WR any week that he is on the field.
News: 9/21 (11:33am) NFL Network is reporting that Arian Foster (hamstring) is officially inactive for Sunday’s Week 3 contest against NYG.Take:Alfred Blue and Ronnie Brown will most likely split some work, but if you need a sneaky play this week at RB, Alfred Blue is your guy! There is always risk with these starts, so know that, as Brown could get more reps than anyone can predict, but I love this kid Blue! Jonathan Grimes could see some run, hence the risk in starting anyone last-minute. I like Blue here.
News: 9/21 (11:23am) ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Shane Vereen (shoulder) is expected to play Sunday’s Week 3 contest against OAK.Take: Check back last-minute, just in case he suffers a setback in warm-ups. Sign-Up For Smart Alerts to ensure you get real-time alerts on all this!
News: 9/21 (11:23am) Both Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) are expected to play in Monday night’s Week 3 contest against the Jets.Take: This is solid info to have now, as some were considering using some Sunday options vs. those Monday night plays. Anything can happen in warm-ups, but both WRs appear ready to rumble on Monday night.
News: 9/21 (10:43am) Vernon Davis (ankle, knee) remains “doubtful” for Week 3.Take: Unless a miracle occurs in this situation, Derek Carrier is going to get some extra run in Week 3.
News: 9/21 (10:18am) DeSean Jackson is expected to be available for Week 3.Take: Expect him to play, but check back, as setbacks happen in warm-ups all the time.
News: 9/21 (10:18am) Wes Welker is expected to be a third-down/role player in Week 3 against SEA.Take: He should return to his strong fantasy WR3 role at some point, but given the match-up and expected playing time, he might not be ready for that just yet.
News: 9/21 (10:16am) There is some buzz this morning suggesting that Bernard Pierce (thigh) may not play Week 3 against CLE.Take:Justin Forsett and and the rookie we have been talking up for weeks, Lorenzo Taliaferro, would likely split carries in this one if Pierce cannot go. Taliaferro is a must-add in dynasty, and he remains a sneaky pick-up in larger redraft leagues — just know anything can happen carry-wise if Pierce sits, so be careful plugging either into your line up. Lorenzo Taliaferro has big upside if he plays a ton, but his workload is far from guaranteed — this week at least.
News: 9/21 (10:16am) NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Arian Foster (hamstring) is a “long shot” to play Sunday’s Week 3 contest against NYG.Take:Alfred Blue and Ronnie Brown will most likely split work; Blue is a decent pickup if you’re in need, but just know he is boom or bust given that Brown could get more work than expected, or less work than expected. Blue is a great dynasty add, though, know that!
News: 9/21 (10:16am) Maurice Jones-Drew (hand) is not expected to be available for Week 3 game against NE.Take:Darren McFadden should see more work than normal. Let’s see if McFadden can hold-up.
News: 9/21 (10:05am) ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Jordan Cameron (shoulder) is expected to play against BAL.Take: Great news, for now. Of course, check back with us closer to kickoff, as anything can happen in warm-ups.
News: 9/21 (10:04am) NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that Jamaal Charles (ankle) is not expected to play Sunday against MIA.Take: Check back of course, but for now, Knile Davis is expected to start. We will adjust the Analyzers/Rankings to reflect the change, but keep in mind that an earlier report, this morning, suggested that Charles had a good chance to play. Stay tuned, but expect Charles to sit as of now.
News: 9/21 (02:02am) Bernard Pierce (thigh) is listed as questionable for Week 3 at Cleveland.Take: The Ravens signed RB Fitzgerald Toussaint, so you have to wonder if Pierce is more questionable than the Ravens are letting on. Pierce practiced on Friday, so expected him to go in Week 3 unless we send out another Smart Alerts on the guy. Just to ensure we’re saying it ahead of time, Ravens rookie RB Lorenzo Taliaferro could eventually see the field, and if he does, watch out. He is a great dynasty “go get” right now.
News: 9/21 (02:02am) Chris Johnson (ankle) is probable for Monday night’s Week 3 contest vs. the Bears.Take: As sad as it is to say, CJ2K is merely a flex option at this point.
News: 9/21 (02:02am) Antonio Gates (hamstring) is probable for Week 3.Take: Great news – After last week, be proved he still has some TE1 left in the tank.
News: 9/21 (02:02am) Chargers RB Branden Oliver will be active for Week 3 against the Bills.Take: This is a dynasty sleeper right here. Be sure to consider grabbing this guy in those deep dynasty leagues. He could never see the field other than special teams, sure, but his talent level is big-time, so I hope he gets a shot. He will be the No. 3RB with Ryan Mathews out.
News: 9/21 (02:01am) DeSean Jackson is questionable for Week 3.Take: This will be a game-time decision, so check back all the way up to kickoff, as well as sign up for Smart Alerts.
News: 9/21 (02:01am) Hakeem Nicks (illness) is listed as questionable for Week 3.Take: This is a game-time decision, meaning you just have to check back frequently all the way up until kickoff (as well as sign up for Smart Alerts)
News: 9/21 (02:01am) Matt Schaub has been ruled out for Week 3.Take:Derek Carr has a lot of dynasty appeal, it will be fun to watch him mature from Weeks 3-16.

According to reports, Chargers RB Ryan Mathews is dealing with a sprained MCL.

Update:The injury will keep Mathews for most likely 4-6 weeks. Donald Brown will get a bulk of the work in place of Mathews, but Danny Woodhead could benefit as much.

SMITTY: Don’t be shocked if this turns into more, as sometimes these things do, but for now this is good news for Mathews owners. A sprained MCL could still mean that he misses weeks, it just all boils down to how bad the sprain/tear is. Danny Woodhead is a must-own entering Week 3, and his stat line will surely see an uptick for each game that Mathews misses. Donald Brown would actually get the ‘between the tackles’ carries, so he should be owned as well entering Week 2. Be sure to sign-up for our Smart Alerts so that you can get real-time updates on this situation.

According to profootballfocus, Chargers RB Ryan Mathews led the league last year in fantasy points per snap (0.40 in non-PPR); he was second only to Jamaal Charles in PPR formats.

SMITTY: While it’s an interesting stat, I remain very skeptical of Ryan Mathews heading into this upcoming fantasy football season. Last season was his first year playing in 16 games, and it’s hard to measure such a stat given the team often takes Mathews out of the game when they expect to use Danny Woodhead. With a redraft ADP in the 4.01-4.04 range, we’re talking about an ADP range of players like Cordarrelle Patterson, Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Ellington, and on occasion, even Keenan Allen. With talent like that still left, Mathews seems more high-risk than reward. Dynasty Note: Keep an eye on rookie RB Marion Grice.

According to ESPN’s Eric Williams, Chargers WR Keenan Allen has focused on improving his speed during the off-season.

SMITTY: You’re looking at a potential fantasy WR1 right here, folks, yet he is being valued like a fantasy WR2 — That’s value right there. For some reason, a grip of fantasy owners doubt Allen entering his sophomore season. The guy just dropped one of the best rookie seasons for a wide receiver in NFL history (71/1046/8TDs), yet I’ve seen some NFL analysts suggest that Allen has already reached max value. As a rookie? I say to those folks: “Enjoy the Keenan Allen show in 2014!” I also think Philip Rivers is getting unfairly-ranked by fantasy owners entering 2014 – With both Allen and Ladarius Green set to breakout, and with Danny Woodhead remaining a big receiving threat, I’m not sure why fantasy worlds don’t see a potential top 6-8 fantasy QB in Rivers this season. Want 2014 Projections? Run this tool based on your scoring!

According to utsandiego.com, Chargers RB Ryan Mathews looks like he has gained muscle and weighs 222 pounds, up from last year’s 215.

SMITTY: We’re not so sure putting on weight is the right move for an injury-prone runner like Mathews. Many times this can lead to injury with certain backs, as they are carrying around weight that they aren’t use to, and it can often cause slowness and injury. Fantasy owners should be cautiously-optimistic in regards to Mathews this year. If you ask me, expecting a repeat of last season (1255/6TDs and 26/189/1TD) is asking a lot, especially with the gained weight (muscle or not). In PPR formats, I think Danny Woodhead is the bargain grab, as his ADP is near the 9th-round, whereas Mathews’ is in the early 4th. One last note, rookie runner Marion Grice might carve out some workload in time, keep an eye on him! Check out projections for all three runners here:

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